It was a cold December evening when Alexander set out for the Toiflhütte in the Vienna Woods. His friend and mentor, Dan Adam, had invited him to a Christmas party. Although Alexander had hesitated at first, he eventually agreed—mostly because Dan had made it clear that a bit of company wouldn’t hurt him. But as he had to leave his car at the base of the forest trail, he wondered if he might come to regret it. “No car, no escape route”—a situation that made him slightly nervous. Inside, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming—almost too welcoming for Alexander’s taste. The air was filled with the scent of cinnamon and freshly baked pastries, while string lights softly glowed and Christmas carols played in the background. He found a corner where he could withdraw a little and observed the scene. Dan, as always, was in his element—entertaining the crowd—while Alexander wondered how long he needed to stay to avoid being impolite.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and a small group stumbled in. A family, it seemed, marked by a snowstorm. Among them was her—Michelle. She caught Alexander’s eye immediately. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, and she radiated an energy that seemed to light up the entire room. She leaned laughingly on the arm of a man standing beside her. Of course, he thought, someone like her must already be taken. Alexander tried to look away, but his eyes kept finding their way back to her. Her gestures, her laughter, the way she spoke to her companion—all of it captivated him. He couldn’t help but notice the little things: how she gently brushed snow from her companion’s hair or smiled at him encouragingly. If he were ever to have a girlfriend, Alexander thought to himself, he hoped she would treat him the way this woman treated that man. Dan, who suddenly appeared next to him, noticed his gaze. “That’s her brother,” Dan said with a knowing smile before disappearing back into the crowd, leaving Alexander no time to protest. “Her brother, then.” The relief he felt was undeniable—and a bit unsettling. He didn’t even know her.
The evening went on, and eventually, the moment for the raffle arrived.
Everyone drew a task, and Alexander’s read: “Invite the second person to your left for a piece of cake.” He glanced at the paper and then to his left—and there she was. Michelle. His heart beat faster as he took a moment to compose himself. Then he stood up and approached her. “Hi,” he began, somewhat uncertainly. “Uh, so… I drew this task, and, well, there’s no cake here. But maybe…” He paused, taking a deep breath. “Maybe we could make up for it another time?” She looked at him, her smile warm and inviting. “That would be nice,” she said, holding his gaze as if he were the only person in the room. That “another time” became their first date. And as it turned out, that story at the Toiflhütte was the beginning of where we are now.